Pery Day 4; Valle de Santa Eulalia & Marcopomacocha

  After the disappointment of yesterday's sluggish days birding, today was a real return to form, with some brilliant birding and some excellent birds. Although it required long hours in the field, and ample driving on dirt roads, it was without doubt the best day of the trip so far, from an albeit limited selection.

  We spent the first hour of light trying one final time to catch up with our outstanding targets near San Pedro de Casta. This time we tried adjacent to the bridge from where we left the 116 highway. The birding was limited, but we had an excellent performance from some Oasis Hummingbirds, and had another Great Inca Finch. However, as we were pushed for time as we had a lot to fit in today, we didn’t stay much longer.

  The drive up the valley was long and slow, with the road being dusty and narrow throughout. A few additional stops did have a few new birds, but it was a limited selection. It was good to see another pair of White-capped Dippers, but that was it until we reached more open habitat much higher up the valley. Here we finally caught up with one of our outstanding targets, the Black Metaltail. It did not pose for photos at all, but having spend two whole days searching without joy, it was just good to finally catch a break.

  We had wanted to stop off at a site called Quebrada Yanac about halfway between San Pedro de Casta and the high altiplano. We had hoped to be here by around 09:00 but didn’t make it until already gone 11:00. Although the sun was strong, we were still able to catch up with our main target here, the rare and range-restricted White-cheeked Cotinga. Sadly the views we had were always distant, and often against the sun. Also on our ascent up the valley, we managed to get Striated Earthcreeper and Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant.

  We did not reach the high altiplano until already gone midday. But once we arrived we quickly started to pick up new birds. First, we managed a smart Black-fronted Ground Tyrant by the car, followed by Slender-billed Miner and Glacier Finch, and this was all before we reached the main bogs that we wanted to search. Throw in a very confiding pair of Grey-breasted Seedsnipe and we were already cooking before the main course.

  And the main course did not disappoint. Despite being mid-afternoon, our searching of the upland bogs landed us both key targets for the site; first White-bellied Cinclodes and then the superb Diademed Sandpiper Plover. This all set against the stunning background of the high Andes. Other new birds here included White-fronted Ground Tyrant and Tacanowskis Ground Tyrant, as well as more of the species we had seen earlier.

  The White-bellied Cinclodes was absolutely fantastic, trotting around the open bogs, dipping in and out of ditches while it searched for food. It was reasonably approachable but not to the extent that I would have liked. Of all the Cinclodes I have seen, it is certainly the most striking.

  But the Diademed Sandpiper Plover was, without doubt, the highlight. It was initially looking like I might dip again, but after some searching I finally turned up a female in an extremely boggy area. She showed nicely but was not approachable. It was a shock to see just how small this bird was, completely in contrast to the lapwing-sized bird I had been expecting. Fortunately, at the other bog we tried, we had a male, and while he was also not super confiding, he did show very nicely in the late afternoon sun.

  An absolutely fantastic day all around, with all the targets acquired and safely arrived at our next destination. Halfway through the day it was beginning to look like we might run out of time, or that the sun would be too strong, but it all worked out very nicely in the end. Hopefully more days like this to follow. 

-Oasis Hummingbird

-White-capped Dipper

-Striated Earthcreeper

-Buff-breasted Earthcreeper

-Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant

-White-cheeked Cotinga

-Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant

-White-bellied Cinclodes

-Glacier Finch

-Grey-breasted Seedsnipe

-White-fronted Ground-Tyrant

-Diademed Sandpiper-Plover

Species List:
Valle de Santa Eulalia: Andean Goose, Spot-winged Pigeon, Bare-faced Ground Dove, Eared Dove, Andean Swift, Sparkling Violetear, Black Metaltail, Giant Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Puna Ibis, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Flicker, American Kestrel, Striated Earthcreeper, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, Cream-winged Cinclodes, White-winged Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-cheeked Cotinga, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Spot-billed Ground Tyrant, Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant, Black-fronted Ground Tyrant, D'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant, Brown-bellied Swallow, House Wren, White-capped Dipper, Chiguanco Thrush, Hooded Siskin, Black Siskin, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty-bellied Brushfinch, Scrub Blackbird, Golden Grosbeak, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Cinereous Conebill, Peruvian Sierra Finch, Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Great Inca Finch, Mourning Sierra Finch, Greenish Yellow Finch,
Marcopomacocha: Andean Goose, Crested Duck, Yellow-billed Teal, Silvery Grebe, Olivaceous Thornbill, Andean Lapwing, Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Puna Snipe, Andean Flicker, Slender-billed Miner, Cream-winged Cinclodes, White-bellied Cinclodes, Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, Glacier Finch, Peruvian Serra Finch, Plumbeous Serra Finch, 

Peru Day 3; Valle de Santa Eulalia

  The plan for the day was as follows; wake up in San Pedro de Casta, bird the montane scrub around the town to try to track down our remaining targets in the area, then try to cover some of the journey up the valley towards the very highest points where we would be birding the following day. But the thing about plans is that they never materialise in the way you envision.

  The morning birding in the scrub down the mountain from the town was good, with quite a few lively groups of birds, but managed to find exactly zero of our target species. The only new bird for me was a rather dapper Oasis Hummingbird male, which perched but all too briefly. There were other new species for the trip list, including the ever-wonderful White-capped Dipper and a few Streak-throated Bush-Tyrants. Otherwise, it was a very similar species setup to the previous day. It was still enjoyable to be able to spend more time with many range-restricted species, and we got significantly improved views of many species; notably Purple-collared Woodstar and Rusty-bellied Brushfinch.

  By 13:00, in the sun's heat, we decided to head back to San Pedro de Casta and then return to the same area to bird for the rest of the afternoon. This would obviously give us a final shot at our outstanding species, but also meant we had a guaranteed bed for the night and a known suitable restaurant. And so, after a lunch of rice, eggs and fried sweet potato, we headed back out to enjoy the last few hours of daylight.

  The afternoon however did not produce the birds we wanted, and was generally quite slow. We had fantastic views of no less than three Peruvian Pygmy Owls, and managed a nice Andean Tinamou running in the road on our way back to the hostal at the end of the day. Overall a rather steady day, with just a handful of new species and a single lifer, but still very much enjoyable. 

-Rusty-bellied Brushfinch

-Andean Tinamou

-Bronze-tailed Comet

-Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant

-Black-winged Ground Dove

-Oasis Hummingbird

-Peruvian Pygmy Owl

-Mountain Viscatcha

-Ocaria elvira

-Anthanassa hermas

Species List:
Valle de Santa Eulalia: Andean Tinamou, Spot-winged Pigeon, Black-winged Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Eared Dove, Andean Swift, Sparkling Violetear, Bronze-tailed Comet, Giant Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Pacific Pygmy Owl, Black-necked Woodpecker, Mountain Parakeet, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Canyon Canastero, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, House Wren, White-capped Dipper, Chiguanco Thrush, Hooded Siskin, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty-bellied Brushfinch, Golden Grosbeak, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Cinereous Conebill, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Mourning Sierra Finch, Greenish Yellow Finch, Band-tailed Seedeater, 

Peru Day 2; Valle de Santa Eulalia

  For our first full day, we headed up the magnificent ravine from our nights stay in the lower portion of the Santa Eulalia valley. As we gained altitude we slowly transitioned through dry lowland forest into high Andean deserts. 

  Although we spent very little time in the lower habitats there were still a few bits that we picked up. Black-throated Woodpecker and West Peruvian Dove were both new for me, although the dove was the most abundant bird I had not seen in Peru, according to eBird. We also had great luck with a singing Peruvian Pygmy Owl right by the side of the road, allowing us to get some excellent views. 

  The morning quickly warmed up, and it was already bright sunshine by the time we reached the higher habitat, where we hoped to find our main target species. We quickly managed to connect with Great Inca Finch, one of the main specialties here, and this was supported by an excellent cast with Peruvian Sheartail and Purple-collared Woodstar both being new for me, as well as a handful of other commoner Andean species.

  Things worked out quite nicely, as this meant we arrived in the town of San Pedro de Casta at around lunchtime. We could check-in to the town's only hotel, grab some scran at a local restaurant and then head out for the afternoon. We birded the road above the town as we had promising gen that this was an area to find the local Rufous-browed Warbling Finch. While we failed to find the finch, we were able to clean up on other targets there; Rusty-breasted Brushfinch, Canyon Canastero and Bronze-tailed Comet all being range-restricted species we could only find here. 

  On the non-target front, we had ample Giant Hummingbirds, and a few Andean Tinamous, including a pair we watched chasing each other during the early evening, although very distantly. A fabulous Mountain Viscacha also made an appearance, although not quite as fabulous as the ones in Argentina. And a few Andean Condors soared overhead as well. Although the overall diversity of the site was limited, we got a full day birding beneath our belt, including many targets and a very enjoyable start to our trip. 

-Peruvian Pygmy Owl

-Great Inca Finch

-Giant Hummingbird

-Purple-collared Woodstar

-Peruvian Sheartail

-Andean Condor

-Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant

-Black-winged Ground-Dove

-Mourning Serra-Finch

-Rusty-bellied Brushfinch

-Lesser Ornate Whorltail Iguana

-Mountain Viscatcha

Species List:
Valle de Santa Eulalia: Andean Tinamou, Bare-faced Ground Dove, Black-winged Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, West Peruvian Dove, Eared Dove, Groove-billed Ani, Andean Swift, Sparkling Violetear, Bronze-tailed Comet, Giant Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Pacific Pygmy Owl, Black-necked Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Streak-backed Tit-Spinetail, Canyon Canastero, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Spot-billed Ground Tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Tropical Kingbird, Brown-bellied Swallow, House Wren, Chiguanco Thrush, Hooded Siskin, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty-bellied Brushfinch, Scrub Blackbird, Golden Grosbeak, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Cinereous Conebill, Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Great Inca Finch, Mourning Sierra Finch, Greenish Yellow Finch, Band-tailed Seedeater,

Peru Day 1; Arrival & Lima

  It was a grueling flight out to Peru, staying 12 hours overnight in Amsterdam, having traveled straight to the airport from a bachelor's party in Edinburg. Still, somehow I managed it, arriving in Peru a little less than fresh. Once at the airport and through all the entry requirements it was already late afternoon, I met up with Rich, Gray and Bill as they were dealing with car hire troubles. But once we had been able to put that behind us, we were able to set off on our way into the Andes, passing through the chaos that is Lima. The only birds we saw were Black Vultures and Feral Pigeons, so not much to write home about there.

Species List:
Lima: Feral Pigeon, Black Vultures, 

Thompson Common

Having spent the week working in Suffolk, followed by two days doing first aid in London, I found myself at a loose end for the weekend. Fortunately, the lovely Sarah Harris was free for the weekend so I was able to spend Saturday night with her, in Watton, right in the middle of the Norfolk Brecklands.

We did not do so much birding, but did spend the best part of Saturday afternoon exploring her patch of Thompson Common. The birding was good for such a warm afternoon, with Cuckoo and a flyover Hobby being the highlights, but with a nice compliment of common species as well.

The real highlight however were the Odonata on offer. At Thompson Water, the main lake on the site, we found ample Red-eyed Damselflies, as well as a single Norfolk Hawker. But then at the other end of the site we found one of my remaining outstanding British Odonata species; Scarce Emerald Damselfly.

I was completely oblivious to their presence here, until a helpful noticeboard pointed them out. With this prompt, we started searching the small ponds on the site and soon for three female and a single male emerald damselfly species. Obviously though, this species pair is tricky, so good photos needed to be taken, and when we got back we were able to confirm that the individuals we had seen were indeed the rarer species, a new species for me. 

-Scarce Emerald Damselfly

-Red-eyed Damselfly

Species List:
Thompson Common: Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Pied Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Common Reed Bunting, 

Fairburn Ings twitching Ring-necked Duck

 Once again I was destined to spend the week working away down south, which meant I spent the second half of bank holiday Monday completing the long and tedious drive necessary to reach Suffolk. However, it was not a complete loss. As with last week, there were options available in the Aire Valley reserves to have a stop and look, which would break up the long journey. This time it was a very dapper Ring-necked Duck drake, which had arrived the previous day at Fairburn Ings. Presumably, this is the same long-staying bird that has been at Old Moor for the months preceding.

From the description, the best place to view would have been from the hide at Lin Dyke, so that’s where I planned to go. However, its been a long time since my last visit here, and I helpfully overshot the car park there. This actually worked out great, as a few hundred metres further up the road a group of four Fairburn regulars were scoping the New Flash from the roadside. I quickly pulled over and asked if this was the best location to view the Ring-necked Duck from, and they promptly pointed me in its direction, not too far away diving in the company of a group of Pochards.

Over the next half an hour or so, I watched the bird move slowly closer to me, before it once again began to move away. The light was not in our favour, but the bird itself was great, a really smart drake. This is my second time seeing this species in the UK, the other also being in West Yorkshire, on Anglers CP. There was not much of a supporting cast, it being late in the afternoon, but a flyover Marsh Harrier and Red Kite are always appreciated. 

-Ring-necked Duck

Species List:
RSPB Fairburn Ings: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pochard, Ring-necked Duck, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Common Starling, Common Reed Bunting,

Undisclosed location twitching Black-winged Stilt

Since I was heading down south for the week, for work purposes, I decided to make a short stop at a location where I knew a pair of Black-winged Stilts were lingering. Back in 2015 I did see this species in the UK, but since this pair was so close and on route, it seemed foolish not to make the short detour to have a look at them.

Despite the afternoon haze, I did get to see both birds distantly through the scope. They showed nicely, feeding away, while a cool breeze kept away the worst of the heat. The birds have now been present for the best part of a week, but on the first occasion I did miss them, hidden away in the grasses, so it was good to be actually able to catch up with them this time.  

Species List:
Undisclosed location: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Bradshaw

Sometimes birding takes an unbelievable turn, and today was one of those days!

With thick fog limiting visibility from dawn, I decided to crack on with work and postpone my Soil Hill visit until the cloud lifted. In the meantime, between work periods, I kept an eye on the weather and occasionally had a scan of the fields with the scope, in case the lifting fog revealed something interesting.

At around 09:20, the fog had lifted just enough to see the newly constructed Bradshaw Pond, a body I had wondered if it might turn up something interesting in the future. On the island I could make out the profile of a large white bird, standing upright, with its back to me. Alarm bells immediately started ringing! This is one of those occasions where you know what your looking at, but can’t actually believe it. Upright posture, long neck, body not hanging down at the rear but being held level; it simply had to be a Spoonbill. Helpfully the bird then turned, revealing a great big black snout, almost as long as the neck itself.

SPOONBILL!

All hell broke loose in my mind. First I’ve got to get a photo! Something! Anything! It’ll be awful through the fog but I gotta do it! That done, its rubbish but its got the beak in, you can tell what it is! Next to put the news out. With so much to do, the message simply read ‘SPOONBILL BRADSHAW POND’ before I sent a terrible phonescope shot to prove the fog hadn’t driven me to madness. Oh yea, I also had to send directions so that anybody else might know what the ‘Bradshaw Pond’ meant.

All that done, shaking like a leaf, I was able to actually watch the bird. The fog was still lifting, so visibility had improved. The bird was actively preening and moving around the island, so the impression was that it would be off as soon as it thought the fog had lifted sufficiently. I gave JJL a call to make sure he had got the news, but he was already in Sowerby Bridge.

About ten minutes later AC arrived. I called from the window that it was still present, before I descended to the road to join him. His timing was immaculate, as about ten minutes later the bird took off. Although it initially looked as though it might pass by over Ogden, it looped back round, right over JJLs house and then directly over our heads, before continuing over the hill towards Bradford.

I have never had as good a view of a Spoonbill as that, never mind a full adult. As I understand, this is the second record for Halifax, and the first to be even close to twitchable. Glad AC made it in time, and apologies for those who missed out. This truly was one of those freak occurrences in birding, where something absolutely bonkers happens, and you just need to be lucky; in the right place and at the right time.

-Spoonbill